yesterday afternoon a motorhome parked next to us. we could hear it coming cause a large dog was barking furiously inside it. We were rather worried because we also have a dog a small Jack Russell. The elderly couple and dog (AlsatIan) got out. The gentleman was gripping a lead and chain holding the dog. They put the dog back in the mhome while they leveled up etc. Later I took our dog for a walk coming back on the road passed the motorhome, well the Alsatian flew out at us luckily it was on it's chain. it realized it couldnt reach us so then ran under the MH coming out the other side. It was very scary. Now my point is, had that happened while either of the owners had that dog by it's lead there was no way either of them could have held that animal. That in my opinion is stupidity to have an anImal that Is a danger to the publIc.
Happywanderer said
09:46 PM Sep 7, 2012
An elderly clouple and an out of control large dog don't make a good mix at all. Has it always been like that and if so why on earth do an elderly couple travel with it. Doesn't make sense. Doesn't even sound like a much loved family pet. Have to agree, Total stupidity.
Vic and Rhonda said
05:40 PM Sep 9, 2012
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. As the owner of a little dog who was killed by a big dog I have absolutely NO tolerance for this kind of thing. I would be going to the local council if in a town, it is illegal for a dog to rush like that. If a little kiddy and their little pet walked too close who knows what could happen. Please keep your little Jacky well away, it's been 9 months since I lost my little dog and it still breaks my heart.
valnrob said
08:53 PM Sep 9, 2012
sorry to hear that VIc and Rhonda. It Is heartbreakIng.The people left early next mornIng. Very frIghtenIng. I should have reported It.
norsehaven said
12:18 AM Sep 13, 2012
I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN WE HAVE JUST GOT HOME AFTER GOING AROUND GO AHEAD AND REPORT.IT WE HAVE A GERMAN SHEPHERD NOT THE ONE MENTIONED AND HAVE BEEN TORMENTED BY PEOPLE WITH LITTLE DOGS RUNNING LOOSE GOING TO THE TOILET AND NOT PICKING UP AFTER THEM ALSO THESE REVOLTING PEOPLE HAVE THE HIDE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IF A LARGE DOG REACTS TO YOUR SMALL ONE ASK YOUR SELF WHY IF YOU LET YOUR LITTLE DOG INVADE THE BIG DOG SPACE AND TORMENT IT IT IS YOUR LACK OF CONTROL THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM ANSWER!! CONTROL YOUR NASTY LITTLE BEAST IN THE FIRST PLACE NOT BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR CARELESS HABITS A BIT OF ATTETION GOES A LONG WAY
valnrob said
02:30 AM Sep 13, 2012
I.m sorry norsehaven that has been your experience. My dog was on a lead, we were walking on a public road and we do pick up after our dog. I do not have a nasty little beast, I have friendly well behaved dog that has been taught manners by myself. My dog does not run around loose and is kept out of other campers space. I'm not sure where your comments of REVOLTING PEOPLE HAVING THE HIDE TO COMPLAIN comes from but I am left wondering if your dog reflects your personality?
Val.
neilnruth said
05:27 AM Sep 13, 2012
Like Vic and Rhonda (welcome by the way), we also have had a dog attack our dog. Fortunately he wasn't killed. The attack was unprovoked. My husband had only gone 10 metres from our front drive and the staffie came from behind and grabbed our dog by the throat and wasn't letting go. Our dog still bears the signs of the attack by having an ear that no longer stands up. So Norsehaven I'm sorry you need to write your post in capitals as it appears to be shouting at others who have had bad experiences. Not all dogs react in the same way. Since our experience we are very cautious when another dog approaches ours. Yes, it would be good if all picked up after their dogs and all controlled their dogs. But we don't live in a perfect world.
norsehaven said
03:49 PM Sep 13, 2012
On the cotrary guru I only aim to have balance I have had dogs large and small for more than fifty years I have trained dogs large and small for many years and it is my experience that a large proportion of small dog owners think they are to good to pick up behind their dog and get quite rude when reminded to do so and if you ask vets and animal welfare also boarding kennels which dogs are nastiest you will be suprised regards
Rip and Rosie said
04:37 PM Sep 13, 2012
Hi Norsehaven Welcome to the forum from me too.
I don't think you can or should generalise and paint every owner with the same brush. The vast majority if us who use this forum take travelling with pets very seriously.
While we have all seen irresponsible owners, we lament the impact this is having on our ability to travel freely. There are those of us who have had very bad experiences with uncontrolled dogs, with irresponsible owners and with Caravan Parks which no longer accept pets. Its a huge problem, and is not getting any better.
I do not accept that all big dogs are aggressive, or are all well trained and gentle.
I do not agree that all small dogs are " cute" or all nasty and aggressive.
Valnrob were posting to make a very valid point relating to their experience. Obviously they were upset by it, but the main point of the post was a concern that the elderly owners had a powerful dog which they did not have the physical strength to restrain or control.
ChrisandPeter said
05:59 PM Sep 13, 2012
Rip and Rosie wrote:I don't think you can or should generalise and paint every owner with the same brush. The vast majority if us who use this forum take travelling with pets very seriously.
While we have all seen irresponsible owners, we lament the impact this is having on our ability to travel freely. There are those of us who have had very bad experiences with uncontrolled dogs, with irresponsible owners and with Caravan Parks which no longer accept pets. Its a huge problem, and is not getting any better.
I do not accept that all big dogs are aggressive, or are all well trained and gentle.
I do not agree that all small dogs are " cute" or all nasty and aggressive.
Valnrob were posting to make a very valid point relating to their experience. Obviously they were upset by it, but the main point of the post was a concern that the elderly owners had a powerful dog which they did not have the physical strength to restrain or control.
Well said R&R on all your points!
We love ALL dogs and accept them as we find them, big and small.
major said
04:19 AM Sep 15, 2012
My husband and I have been travelling for four years with two dogs and one of them is a german sheperd, I have had people in the caravan parks come up and want to pat him while he is on a chain I have been in parks where he is aloud to roam off the chain, with me or not. In alldogs defence maybe you just got to close to the dogs territory big all small they will defend what is theirs. I have had little flufy try to attack me and the sheperd is the flufy a dangerous dog too. Have a think about things before declaring its a dangerous dog.
neilnruth said
05:08 AM Sep 15, 2012
Yes, it is in a dog's nature to count the area around 'his' caravan as his territory. I do agree with Rosie though. She has said it well. Let's all encourage others to handle their dogs well and trust we will still be able to go away because we can still take them with us - big or small.
norsehaven said
08:14 PM Sep 16, 2012
This is good a debate just what is needed as was said every animal needs its space but i5t is just a basic fact little dogs suffer from small person syndrome and over compensate how many small dog owners will admit they have been bitten by their dog i was bitten by one of my dogs in a caravan park when a small dog came out from under a van and i put my leg in the way (not a kick) to protect the other dog and all I got was abuse from the small dog owner would I do the same again no what happens happens and the small dog owner can be the one abused
woosy said
08:49 PM Sep 16, 2012
Hi I have just joined this forum & somebody shaw did stir up a hornet nest
woozy
I don't know about a good debate I don't think any one can win this one!!!!!!
Cheers Shirley
Rip and Rosie said
12:31 AM Sep 17, 2012
I'm not sure its a debate which has to have a winner or a loser.
I love debates where points of view are rationally put and where both sides develop an understandning of each other's.
It is my experience that most dog problems originate with the owner- I'm with Caesar here.
I repeat my previous point that you can not label all small dogs as nasty little beasts as it simply isn't true, and "small person syndrome" is also a myth. There are many small, short, under average height people who will demonstrate that.
Lumping all small dogs together by generalising does not help anything.
Santa said
04:35 AM Sep 18, 2012
One more reason my wife and I prefer to free camp, we have an 8 month old female Lab, she is pretty well behaved however we are not under the illusion that she is perfect. Without people or other dogs around the potential for this type of conflict does not exist, and, of course we don't have to put up with the bigoted small minded attitude of those who believe their four legged darlings can do no wrong.
norsehaven said
04:05 PM Sep 18, 2012
Thank you Santa my point precisely
woosy said
06:00 PM Sep 18, 2012
Hi Their is an old saying What counts is not necessary the size of the dog
It's the size of the fight in the dog We love dogs but we have only had
one which cannot be replaced But can understand why people take their dogs with them
and when we go into caravan parks we go into dog friendly parks and have no trouble
cheers shirley (Woozy)
When all else fails read the instructions
Santa said
06:42 PM Sep 18, 2012
Staying at Hayes Creek CP in the NT a few weeks back, only half a dozen or so others around, we don't allow our dog to run free under these circumstances.
Sitting outside enjoying the peace and quiet when I see a woman striding purposefully toward me, she tells us our dog has "pooped" her words, outside her van, I grab a plastic bag and wander over to where she is parked, now, I know my dogs poop and this is from a much smaller dog, not one of Missy's deposits, I explain this to the woman but she is not interested, so, to keep the peace I tell her I'll clean it up anyway, which I did, not so much a murmer of apology from her.
Later in the day her husband wandered over and offered a half hearted apology, another case of people putting 2 + 2 together and coming up with 5.
As a matter of interest the CP owners dog was allowed to roam at will, guess that was the offender.
Santa said
06:45 PM Sep 18, 2012
norsehaven wrote:
Thank you Santa my point precisely
Your Welcome Mike, Mt Burr eh? another South Aussie, wer'e up at Moonta.
valnrob said
08:59 PM Sep 18, 2012
This post was just something that happened while we were camped out. It wasn't meant to be a "for or against" big or small dogs. We have had big (labrador and bull terriers) .and small dogs in our time as dog owners and loved them equally. What happened is what happened and I am still of the opinion that the large dog was too strong for it's owners. Luckily it was chained but as it flew at us it somersaulted as it came to the end of the chain. I was quite frightened thinking at one stage it was off the chain.
It is a post that will have no winners but that wasn't the intention in the first place.
Cheers
neilnruth said
10:19 PM Sep 18, 2012
Glad your scenario turned out OK valnrob. Obviously talking about dogs can be a 'trigger' for some. Thanks for sharing your original story so we can all be aware of what could happen. Hope those elderly folk are still safe on the road.
dusty+dog said
11:14 PM Oct 25, 2012
I agree with the person who said that not all big dogs are dangerous nor all little dogs not annoying. I have had all types of dogs over the years including cattle dogs, shepherds, collie dogs and rottweiler crosses and now have a small maltese/terrier. I thought when I had big dogs that small dogs 'were not proper dogs', but since having my little sarah-bear I just adore her. I've never fallen in love with a dog so fast. Mind you she was the dog that my son James picked out for us. James was assaulted when he was 18 years old and had major mental and physical issues since, so he spent most of his time at home and Sarah-bear kept him company, sitting on his lap and making him laugh at her funny antics. James died last June 2011 and so I am alone but for our little cutie Sarah-bear, who stills waits for him to come out of his room and let her sit on his lap.
I just love all animals, it's people that can sometimes be scary. I look forward to meeting all my two and four legged friends on my travels. God bless one and all, dusty+dog
Robyn K said
12:13 AM Oct 26, 2012
Oh Dusty Your story about James & Sarah - bear has bought tears to my eyes. I used to breed German shepherds (many years ago) But for the past 10 years our beautiful ****zu x King Charles cavalier has been our family dog. Who now enjoys travelling as much as we do. I can't imagine him being attacked by some unleashed dog & I really don't want to. We make sure he is leashed at all times unless he is in the MH.
Robyn K said
03:15 AM Oct 26, 2012
Oh Dusty your story bought tears to my eyes regarding James & Sarah - bear, I too have large dogs used to breed German shepherds. But my little King Charles cavalier x ****zu is my best mate & has been for the past 10 & a bit years.
woosy said
08:32 PM Oct 27, 2012
Hi! Like Robyn K. I was so moved by your story!!!! and I am so pleased that you
have little Sarah Bear to keep you company.....
Boothie said
03:30 AM Nov 3, 2012
I've read this thread with interest and feel for all situations. For instances, the time my Foxy cross was mauled by a pig dog. The owner didn't give a damn. Now we have a rescued Greyhound who reacts differently in different situations. We are very aware of these situations and take the appropriate actions. For instance, when she is on a short leash she becomes protective of us and takes offence when other dogs come to close. When on a long leash, often she tries to play with other dogs. The car is hers and any other dog coming close will get barked at. Anyone coming to the front door will be barked at, but once inside, be prepared to be licked!
The biggest thing with dogs is being able to read them. I have seen little dogs and big dogs that I have taken an instant dislike to because of the stance and attitude. The worst one was my Uncle's Kelpie. It was a right mongrel and would sneak up on you going to the outside dunny and bite you on the back of the ankles and then run off and hide under the watertank. Drew blood everytime. At eight years of age, I learnt to hold on real good!
Seriously, the biggest thing I can offer is that you have to judge the dog as you approach it, look at the stance, for instance a low held head and a straight back always suggests an aggressive posture. Bouncing and carrying on on the end of the lead, particularly with the front half of the body down at ground level usually means a game is about to be had. Its not foolproof but I've found that our relationship with other dog owners is greatly improved by respecting the other dog.
Neil and Shazz said
07:01 PM Nov 9, 2012
The problem with dogs is not the dogs but the owners. The majority of dog owners have no idea how to own a dog and provide it with what it needs. A dog is a dog, not a child. How many people refer to their dogs as 'their children' and treat them as such. They disrespect the dog by not treating it as a dog. A dog will still love you and be a loyal companion if you take the lead. If you do not you will have behaviour problems.
I am currently re-training my boyfriends dog which is an 11 year old brown and tan Doberman x Heeler. He looks more Dobie than Heeler. He has been treated as a child all his life to the point of being do dependant that he suffers separation anxiety if Neil goes out for even a minute. It took 6 months for him to be able to leave the dog with me without the constant howling. He has dependancies on items such as sticks and balls. When he goes to the park he has to have a stick or ball but this dependancy seems to have dimished some what and he is now beginning to behave like a dog and seeking out other things that the walk has to offer. He would rush through doors (almost knocked me over many times), rushed to get in the car (he is slightly arithritic so rushing caused him to miss and hurt himself), would growl at other dogs and people and one had to be careful letting people in the house and god help them if they got near the car. He has also had a major food thing going on. He would hover round the kitchen and while his dinner was being prepared. Would watch us while we were eating. Of course this dog is now learning the rules and what is accepable and what is not. He no longer rushes through doors and waits when told to get in the car which means because he is composed and calm he doesn't miss and hurt himself. He also had an issue with being outside and preferred to be couch potato all day. He now goes out and can stay out all day without the incessant whining and ripping up doors. As for food he nows knows the kitchen is out of bounds, has to wait in a particular spot until called for dinner and he has to lay and wait to be told to eat. In short he has learned to become a dog again and that he is not the pack leader. He has learnt so many things in such a short time (about six months). His separation anxiety is still there but has reduced a small amount. This is the hardest hurdle for the dog to get over, if he ever will. Neil reckoned he couldn't be taught as he was told old. Teaching Neil how to work with the dog is a much harder task. I am still working on him.
My dog a Kelpie x Huntaway was taught as a puppy who was the pack leader and of course he is no problem. Although he is a well trained dog Neil does have problems because he still has not learnt to assert his authority in the correct manner. Both dogs are smart and they will put it over Neil when ever they can.
Small dogs do not have 'small dog syndrome'. Most of the ones I come across have a people problem. Just like Neil's dog they are treated like children. If you do not become the leader your dog requires you will have a problem dog. I personally have come across more problem small dogs than big dogs simply due to no or little training and because of there size are more likely to be treated like a child/toy. They are probably more dangerous because they can be lifted up by children and adults they are then at face height should the dog bite.
The dog mentioned that flew at the people on the end of the chain certainly can be a worry. Some dogs are fine off a chain but once on it they are 'working'. If this was the case for this dog the owners should have placed the dog in a position so it could not scare people in such a manner. In some states this is against local by-lays and fines can be issued.
A dog should be loyal and loving companion and a delight to have around. Not a bossy, spoilt, disrespecting animal that nobody wants to know.
I agree there are no winners or losers in this debate but in life the dog is usually the loser due to the inadaquate training and leadership of their owners.
Gerty Dancer said
08:31 PM Nov 29, 2012
Thank you Shazz, very well said. And thank you to Boothie too.
We would like to own a dog but have deferred this while we travel so much, it all seems too difficult.
neilnruth said
04:43 AM Nov 30, 2012
Our daughter is as excited as a mother with a baby...her boyfriend has just bought her a 7 week old pedigree rottwheiler (Spelling??) puppy. She thought it was funny last night when she left 'Zara' asleep in the lounge room while she went to have a shower. No bathmat or towel when she had finished...one puppy had dragged them into the hall. I said that was OK until it was her best dress she dragged down the hall! I hope it doesn't replace the grandchild I was hoping for! And who looks after it when they want to go camping?
yesterday afternoon a motorhome parked next to us. we could hear it coming cause a large dog was barking furiously inside it. We were rather worried because we also have a dog a small Jack Russell. The elderly couple and dog (AlsatIan) got out. The gentleman was gripping a lead and chain holding the dog. They put the dog back in the mhome while they leveled up etc. Later I took our dog for a walk coming back on the road passed the motorhome, well the Alsatian flew out at us luckily it was on it's chain. it realized it couldnt reach us so then ran under the MH coming out the other side. It was very scary. Now my point is, had that happened while either of the owners had that dog by it's lead there was no way either of them could have held that animal. That in my opinion is stupidity to have an anImal that Is a danger to the publIc.
Doesn't even sound like a much loved family pet. Have to agree, Total stupidity.
sorry to hear that VIc and Rhonda. It Is heartbreakIng.The people left early next mornIng. Very frIghtenIng. I should have reported It.
WE HAVE A GERMAN SHEPHERD NOT THE ONE MENTIONED AND HAVE BEEN TORMENTED BY PEOPLE WITH LITTLE DOGS RUNNING LOOSE GOING TO THE TOILET AND NOT PICKING UP AFTER THEM
ALSO THESE REVOLTING PEOPLE HAVE THE HIDE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IF A LARGE DOG REACTS TO YOUR SMALL ONE ASK YOUR SELF WHY
IF YOU LET YOUR LITTLE DOG INVADE THE BIG DOG SPACE AND TORMENT IT IT IS YOUR LACK OF CONTROL THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
ANSWER!! CONTROL YOUR NASTY LITTLE BEAST IN THE FIRST PLACE NOT BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR CARELESS HABITS A BIT OF ATTETION GOES A LONG WAY
Val.
Welcome to the forum from me too.
I don't think you can or should generalise and paint every owner with the same brush. The vast majority if us who use this forum take travelling with pets very seriously.
While we have all seen irresponsible owners, we lament the impact this is having on our ability to travel freely. There are those of us who have had very bad experiences with uncontrolled dogs, with irresponsible owners and with Caravan Parks which no longer accept pets. Its a huge problem, and is not getting any better.
I do not accept that all big dogs are aggressive, or are all well trained and gentle.
I do not agree that all small dogs are " cute" or all nasty and aggressive.
Valnrob were posting to make a very valid point relating to their experience. Obviously they were upset by it, but the main point of the post was a concern that the elderly owners had a powerful dog which they did not have the physical strength to restrain or control.
Well said R&R on all your points!
We love ALL dogs and accept them as we find them, big and small.
My husband and I have been travelling for four years with two dogs and one of them is a german sheperd, I have had people in the caravan parks come up and want to pat him while he is on a chain I have been in parks where he is aloud to roam off the chain, with me or not. In alldogs defence maybe you just got to close to the dogs territory big all small they will defend what is theirs. I have had little flufy try to attack me and the sheperd is the flufy a dangerous dog too. Have a think about things before declaring its a dangerous dog.
woozy
I don't know about a good debate I don't think any one can win this one!!!!!!
Cheers Shirley
I love debates where points of view are rationally put and where both sides develop an understandning of each other's.
It is my experience that most dog problems originate with the owner- I'm with Caesar here.
I repeat my previous point that you can not label all small dogs as nasty little beasts as it simply isn't true, and "small person syndrome" is also a myth. There are many small, short, under average height people who will demonstrate that.
Lumping all small dogs together by generalising does not help anything.
Without people or other dogs around the potential for this type of conflict does not exist, and, of course we don't have to put up with the bigoted small minded attitude of those who believe their four legged darlings can do no wrong.
Hi Their is an old saying What counts is not necessary the size of the dog
It's the size of the fight in the dog
We love dogs but we have only had
one which cannot be replaced But can understand why people take their dogs with them
and when we go into caravan parks we go into dog friendly parks and have no trouble
cheers shirley (Woozy)
When all else fails read the instructions
Staying at Hayes Creek CP in the NT a few weeks back, only half a dozen or so others around, we don't allow our dog to run free under these circumstances.
Sitting outside enjoying the peace and quiet when I see a woman striding purposefully toward me, she tells us our dog has "pooped" her words, outside her van, I grab a plastic bag and wander over to where she is parked, now, I know my dogs poop and this is from a much smaller dog, not one of Missy's deposits, I explain this to the woman but she is not interested, so, to keep the peace I tell her I'll clean it up anyway, which I did, not so much a murmer of apology from her.
Later in the day her husband wandered over and offered a half hearted apology, another case of people putting 2 + 2 together and coming up with 5.
As a matter of interest the CP owners dog was allowed to roam at will, guess that was the offender.
Your Welcome Mike, Mt Burr eh? another South Aussie, wer'e up at Moonta.
It is a post that will have no winners but that wasn't the intention in the first place.
Cheers
I agree with the person who said that not all big dogs are dangerous nor all little dogs not annoying. I have had all types of dogs over the years including cattle dogs, shepherds, collie dogs and rottweiler crosses and now have a small maltese/terrier. I thought when I had big dogs that small dogs 'were not proper dogs', but since having my little sarah-bear I just adore her. I've never fallen in love with a dog so fast. Mind you she was the dog that my son James picked out for us. James was assaulted when he was 18 years old and had major mental and physical issues since, so he spent most of his time at home and Sarah-bear kept him company, sitting on his lap and making him laugh at her funny antics. James died last June 2011 and so I am alone but for our little cutie Sarah-bear, who stills waits for him to come out of his room and let her sit on his lap.
I just love all animals, it's people that can sometimes be scary. I look forward to meeting all my two and four legged friends on my travels. God bless one and all, dusty+dog
Your story about James & Sarah - bear has bought tears to my eyes. I used to breed German shepherds (many years ago)
But for the past 10 years our beautiful ****zu x King Charles cavalier has been our family dog. Who now enjoys travelling as much as we do.
I can't imagine him being attacked by some unleashed dog & I really don't want to. We make sure he is leashed at all times unless he is in the MH.
Hi! Like Robyn K. I was so moved by your story!!!! and I am so pleased that you
have little Sarah Bear to keep you company.....
I've read this thread with interest and feel for all situations. For instances, the time my Foxy cross was mauled by a pig dog. The owner didn't give a damn. Now we have a rescued Greyhound who reacts differently in different situations. We are very aware of these situations and take the appropriate actions. For instance, when she is on a short leash she becomes protective of us and takes offence when other dogs come to close. When on a long leash, often she tries to play with other dogs. The car is hers and any other dog coming close will get barked at. Anyone coming to the front door will be barked at, but once inside, be prepared to be licked!
The biggest thing with dogs is being able to read them. I have seen little dogs and big dogs that I have taken an instant dislike to because of the stance and attitude. The worst one was my Uncle's Kelpie. It was a right mongrel and would sneak up on you going to the outside dunny and bite you on the back of the ankles and then run off and hide under the watertank. Drew blood everytime. At eight years of age, I learnt to hold on real good!
Seriously, the biggest thing I can offer is that you have to judge the dog as you approach it, look at the stance, for instance a low held head and a straight back always suggests an aggressive posture. Bouncing and carrying on on the end of the lead, particularly with the front half of the body down at ground level usually means a game is about to be had. Its not foolproof but I've found that our relationship with other dog owners is greatly improved by respecting the other dog.
The problem with dogs is not the dogs but the owners. The majority of dog owners have no idea how to own a dog and provide it with what it needs. A dog is a dog, not a child. How many people refer to their dogs as 'their children' and treat them as such. They disrespect the dog by not treating it as a dog. A dog will still love you and be a loyal companion if you take the lead. If you do not you will have behaviour problems.
I am currently re-training my boyfriends dog which is an 11 year old brown and tan Doberman x Heeler. He looks more Dobie than Heeler. He has been treated as a child all his life to the point of being do dependant that he suffers separation anxiety if Neil goes out for even a minute. It took 6 months for him to be able to leave the dog with me without the constant howling. He has dependancies on items such as sticks and balls. When he goes to the park he has to have a stick or ball but this dependancy seems to have dimished some what and he is now beginning to behave like a dog and seeking out other things that the walk has to offer. He would rush through doors (almost knocked me over many times), rushed to get in the car (he is slightly arithritic so rushing caused him to miss and hurt himself), would growl at other dogs and people and one had to be careful letting people in the house and god help them if they got near the car. He has also had a major food thing going on. He would hover round the kitchen and while his dinner was being prepared. Would watch us while we were eating. Of course this dog is now learning the rules and what is accepable and what is not. He no longer rushes through doors and waits when told to get in the car which means because he is composed and calm he doesn't miss and hurt himself. He also had an issue with being outside and preferred to be couch potato all day. He now goes out and can stay out all day without the incessant whining and ripping up doors. As for food he nows knows the kitchen is out of bounds, has to wait in a particular spot until called for dinner and he has to lay and wait to be told to eat. In short he has learned to become a dog again and that he is not the pack leader. He has learnt so many things in such a short time (about six months). His separation anxiety is still there but has reduced a small amount. This is the hardest hurdle for the dog to get over, if he ever will. Neil reckoned he couldn't be taught as he was told old. Teaching Neil how to work with the dog is a much harder task. I am still working on him.
My dog a Kelpie x Huntaway was taught as a puppy who was the pack leader and of course he is no problem. Although he is a well trained dog Neil does have problems because he still has not learnt to assert his authority in the correct manner. Both dogs are smart and they will put it over Neil when ever they can.
Small dogs do not have 'small dog syndrome'. Most of the ones I come across have a people problem. Just like Neil's dog they are treated like children. If you do not become the leader your dog requires you will have a problem dog. I personally have come across more problem small dogs than big dogs simply due to no or little training and because of there size are more likely to be treated like a child/toy. They are probably more dangerous because they can be lifted up by children and adults they are then at face height should the dog bite.
The dog mentioned that flew at the people on the end of the chain certainly can be a worry. Some dogs are fine off a chain but once on it they are 'working'. If this was the case for this dog the owners should have placed the dog in a position so it could not scare people in such a manner. In some states this is against local by-lays and fines can be issued.
A dog should be loyal and loving companion and a delight to have around. Not a bossy, spoilt, disrespecting animal that nobody wants to know.
I agree there are no winners or losers in this debate but in life the dog is usually the loser due to the inadaquate training and leadership of their owners.
We would like to own a dog but have deferred this while we travel so much, it all seems too difficult.